Visit one of Sedona’s newest galleries, The Spirit of the Andes at Hillside Sedona, this Sunday November 1st from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a special exhibition of world-renowned artist Mamani Mamani’s extended collection. Mamani Mamani has traveled all the way to Sedona from Bolivia for this exhibit and will only be here through Sunday so don’t miss this rare opportunity to view his full collection of original luminous oils and pastels.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mamani Mamani this afternoon when I visited the gallery for the first time and I was quite taken aback by his genuine character and sincere humility about his artwork and his time in Sedona. He has done more than 52 exhibitions since 1983 and has earned many awards, tributes and accollades both nationally and internationally yet he greeted me like an old friend. Within moments of meeting me and learning just a little bit about me (I told him that I’m 5 & 1/2 months pregnant with a little boy), he disappeared inside the gallery for a moment and came back out with a small bookmark imprinted with the image of one of his paintings. On the bottom of it, he wrote in spanish “May all the energy of the sun be with your son.” I was so sincerely touched.

His artwork speaks to me as much as our brief interlude did. Living in one of the art mecca’s of the southwestern region, I have laid my eyes on countless works of art created by some of the world’s best artists. I’ve seen art in Sedona that I’ve never seen anywhere else in the world, I’ve admired countless paintings, sculptures, oils, pastels and mixed media pieces I would gladly take home and hang on my wall if I could…and I truly have not seen anything like Mamani’s work. It is so bright and vibrant yet rich and deep all at once. Walking into The Spirit of the Andes, you are greeted by his intensely uplifting pieces, bold use of color, geometrical shapes and figures. Warmth, love and hope radiate from each piece and you can’t help but feel happy just looking at them because they are so full of life and energy. Of all the pieces hanging (which were only a mere percentage of his full collection to be shown on Sunday) my favorite were the Mother and Child pieces. I was also suprised to see that his artwork was so well priced considering it’s beauty and his reputation – they even have prints available for as little as $150-200.

Jaqueline Conley of La Paz, Bolivia will also be showing her lustrous alpaca and silk clothing hand sewn with many of Mamani Mamani’s designs. A delicate and ornately woven peacock covered the back of a black silk shawl that took my breath away imagining the time and work that went into creating it. Several other designs were just as stunning combining the bold vibrance of Mamani’s work with fashion and flare.

You are in for a real treat if you can attend this special showing at The Spirt of the Andes. Even you can’t make it on Sunday, stop in and meet this lovely family, the Montenegro’s, sometime. I am certain you will be as touched as I am by their generosity of spirit, friendliness and character, not to mention their beautiful new gallery!

Spirit of the Andes is located at Hillside Sedona, 671 Hwy 179 Suite A-ST6. For further information call (928) 496-0234.

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